Tubular foodstuff casing made of cellulose hydrate, in particular synthetic sausage casing

Abstract

A tubular foodstuff casing, in particular synthetic sausage casing, based on cellulose contains a di-n-didecyl-dimethylammonium compound as a fungicidal agent, which is optionally used in admixture with salts of sorbic acid, fungicidal heterocyclic compounds, such as an isothiazolone compound, or glycerol monolaurate. The coating prevents mold attack on the casing.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A tubular cellulose hydrate foodstuff casing which comprises an effective amount of a di-n-decyl-dimethylammonium compound as a fungicidal agent. 
     
     
       2. A casing as claimed in claim 1, wherein said fungicidal agent is present in an external coating or impregnation provided to said casing. 
     
     
       3. A casing as claimed in claim 2, further comprising a water steam-impermeable coating on its inner surface. 
     
     
       4. A casing as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a fiber reinforcement. 
     
     
       5. A casing as claimed in claim 1, wherein the anion of said fungicidal agent is chloride, bromide, phosphate or propionate. 
     
     
       6. A casing as claimed in claim 1, wherein the content of said fungicidal agent is at least about 10 mg/m 2  of casing surface area. 
     
     
       7. A casing as claimed in claim 6, wherein the content of said fungicidal agent is at least 20 mg/m 2  of casing surface area. 
     
     
       8. A casing as claimed in claim 1, comprising an outer covering layer which comprises said fungicidal agent and at least one further fungicidal agent. 
     
     
       9. A casing as claimed in claim 8, wherein said at least one further fungicidal agent is a salt of sorbic acid, an isothiazolone compound or glycerol monolaurate. 
     
     
       10. A casing as claimed in claim 9, wherein said further fungicidal agent comprises potassium sorbate. 
     
     
       11. A casing as claimed in claim 9, wherein said further fungicidal agent comprises an N-alkyliso-thiazolone. 
     
     
       12. A casing as claimed in claim 11, wherein said N-alkylisothiazolone comprises an alkyl group which is a straight-chain hydrocarbon radical. 
     
     
       13. A casing as claimed in claim 12, wherein said radical has 5 to 14 carbon atoms. 
     
     
       14. A casing as claimed in claim 9, wherein the weight ratio of said fungicidal agent to any one of said further fungicidal agents is about 3:1 to 1:3. 
     
     
       15. A casing as claimed in claim 14, wherein the weight ratio of said fungicidal agent to any one of said further fungicidal agents is 2:1 to 1:2. 
     
     
       16. A method of preventing infestation of a tubular cellulose hydrate foodstuff casing with mold which comprises the step of providing said casing with an outer coating or impregnation comprising a fungicidally effective amount of a di-n-decyldimethylammonium compound. 
     
     
       17. A sausage product comprising a sausage meat emulsion and a casing as claimed in claim 1. 
     
     
       18. A casing as claimed in claim 1, wherein said fungicidal agent comprises di-n-decyl-dimethylammonium chloride. 
     
     
       19. A casing as claimed in claim 18, further comprising N-N-octyl-isothiazolone as a fungicidal agent. 
     
     
       20. A casing as claimed in claim 18, further comprising potassium sorbate as a fungicidal agent.